Marine engine cooling system with siphon inhibiting device

Abstract

A siphon inhibiting valve is provided for a marine engine cooling system. The purpose of the valve is to prevent the draining of the pump and outboard drive unit from creating a siphon effect that draws water from portions of the cooling system where heat producing components exists. The valve also allows intentional draining of the system when the vessel operator desires to accomplish this function. The valve incorporates a ball that is captivated within a cavity. If the ball is lighter than water, its buoyancy assists in the operation of the valve.

I claim:  
     
       1. A marine engine cooling system, comprising: 
       a pump;  
       a heat producing component;  
       a conduit connected between said pump and said heat producing component;  
       a valve connected in fluid communication with said conduit between said pump and said heat producing component;  
       a ball disposed within a cavity of said valve, said valve having a first port and a second port, said valve being configured to receive a stream of water into said first port from said pump and pass said stream of water serially through said cavity and said second port to said heat producing component; and  
       a seal, responsive to movement of said ball within said cavity, between said first port and said cavity to inhibit water flow through said cavity toward said pump, said valve being positioned to dispose said first port above said second port.  
     
     
       2. The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said ball is less dense than water.  
     
     
       3. The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said seal is responsive to an upward movement of said ball within said cavity.  
     
     
       4. The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said seal is a ball seat which is shaped to receive said ball in sealing contact in response to movement of said ball against said ball seat.  
     
     
       5. The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said valve comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first and second portions being combined to define said cavity.  
     
     
       6. The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a ball rest formed in said cavity proximate said second port to support said ball, said ball rest permitting water to flow through said second port when said ball is at the bottom of said cavity.  
     
     
       7. The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       an engine having a plurality of cooling passages, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said cooling passages.  
     
     
       8. The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a thermostat housing, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said thermostat housing.  
     
     
       9. The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a fuel cooler, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said fuel cooler.  
     
     
       10. The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       an exhaust manifold, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said exhaust manifold.  
     
     
       11. A marine engine cooling system, comprising: 
       a pump;  
       a heat producing component;  
       a conduit connected between said pump and said heat producing component;  
       a valve connected in fluid communication with said conduit between said pump and said heat producing component;  
       a ball disposed within a cavity of said valve, said ball being less dense than water, said valve having a first port and a second port, said valve being configured to receive a stream of water into said first port from said pump and pass said stream of water serially through said cavity and said second port to said heat producing component; and  
       a seal, responsive to an upward movement of said ball within said cavity, between said first port and said cavity to inhibit water flow through said cavity toward said pump, said valve being positioned to dispose said first port above said second port.  
     
     
       12. The cooling system of  claim 11 , wherein: 
       said seal is a ball seat which is shaped to receive said ball in sealing contact in response to movement of said ball against said ball seat.  
     
     
       13. The cooling system of  claim 12 , wherein: 
       said valve comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first and second portions being combined to define said cavity.  
     
     
       14. The cooling system of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
       a ball rest formed in said cavity proximate said second port to support said ball, said ball rest permitting water to flow through said second port when said ball is at the bottom of said cavity.  
     
     
       15. The cooling system of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
       an engine having a plurality of cooling passages, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said cooling passages.  
     
     
       16. The cooling system of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
       a thermostat housing, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said thermostat housing.  
     
     
       17. The cooling system of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
       a fuel cooler, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said fuel cooler.  
     
     
       18. The cooling system of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
       an exhaust manifold, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said exhaust manifold.  
     
     
       19. A marine engine cooling system, comprising: 
       a pump;  
       a heat producing component;  
       a conduit connected between said pump and said heat producing component;  
       a valve connected in fluid communication with said conduit between said pump and said heat producing component;  
       a ball disposed within a cavity of said valve, said ball being less dense than water, said valve having a first port and a second port, said valve being configured to receive a stream of water into said first port from said pump and pass said stream of water serially through said cavity and said second port to said heat producing component;  
       a seal, responsive to an upward movement of said ball within said cavity, between said first port and said cavity to inhibit water flow through said cavity toward said pump, said valve being positioned to dispose said first port above said second port, said seal being a ball seat which is shaped to receive said ball in sealing contact in response to movement of said ball against said ball seat; and  
       an exhaust manifold, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said exhaust manifold.  
     
     
       20. The cooling system of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
       a ball rest formed in said cavity proximate said second port to support said ball, said ball rest permitting water to flow through said second port when said ball is at the bottom of said cavity;  
       an engine having a plurality of cooling passages, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said cooling passages;  
       a thermostat housing, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said thermostat housing; and  
       a fuel cooler, said valve being connected in fluid communication between said pump and said fuel cooler, said valve comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first and second portions being combined to define said cavity.